Kevin Correia returns to Padres

Right-hander had breakout 2009 as full-time starter

Kevin Correia, who led the Padres in 2009 with 12 wins and 198 innings pitched, agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the club.

"We both made it clear what we hoped the end result would be," Padres general manager Jed Hoyer told MLB.com. "We did have conversations with [other] teams; it was more than one conversation. In the end, this is what we wanted."

Correia, who had a 3.91 ERA in '09, made it clear to the club that he wanted to remain in San Diego. The deal was made prior to the deadline for tendering contracts to arbitration-eligible players.

"This was his first choice," agent Barry Axelrod said.

Ambriz moves to Indians in Rule 5 Draft: The Indians selected pitcher Hector Ambriz from the D-backs organization with the fifth overall pick of the Rule 5 Draft.

"Our scouts like his stuff," Indians director of scouting John Mirabelli told the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "He has some power through all his pitches. He has a history, all the way back through college, of being a good strike-thrower."

"I think it's huge," Roberts told the Baltimore Sun. "For our young guys to be around somebody that has been doing it for 10-plus years, and he'll give you 200 innings every year and 12 to 17 wins probably. It's a great thing for us as a team right now."

"I had the opportunity to play with Kevin and see him lead the league in ERA back in '05, and as far as his ability to pitch and be a tremendous pitcher over the course of his career, that speaks for itself," said Guthrie, a teammate of Millwood's with the Cleveland Indians in 2005. "His ability to pitch and his knowledge of the game is going to set a good example for each one of us on the staff."

Cust puts family first in exploring market: The A's declined to make a contract offer to Jack Cust, who hit 25 home runs, drove in 70 runs and scored a club-high 88 runs in 2009. It was the third straight season Cust had hit at least 25 homers for Oakland.

The club wanted to retain Cust for a contract calling for less than what he would have earned through the arbitration process, but the outfielder has decided to enter the full market.

"I told Billy, 'I'm going to be 31 years old, I've got to see what's out there,'" Cust told the San Francisco Chronicle. "I have to do what's best for my family. I spent a lot of years riding the bus, not making any money. But Oakland was the team that gave me an opportunity, and I'm very grateful for that.

"One thing about Jack is that he hits home runs, he draws walks and he plays," Beane said. "He's never hurt."

Crosby relishes opportunity with Pirates: Bobby Crosby, the Rookie of the Year with the A's in 2004, has moved on to the Pirates in search of playing time.

"I'm excited," Crosby told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "I know they've got a lot of young talent, but I know I'm going to get a chance to play there. That's all I really wanted going into the offseason. And this was the best fit for me by far."

"I didn't know," Capps told MLB.com. "All I know is what I was told, and that was basically what I had been reading last week. But plans change, and I didn't fit into it.

"I didn't want it to happen," he continued. "I know I didn't have the best of years last year, but I know what I'm capable of doing. There are no hard feelings. I have a lot of great friends who are still putting on that uniform."

Johnson in search of a new team: The Braves did not tender Kelly Johnson a contract, making the second baseman a free agent. The Braves are open to re-signing Johnson to a smaller contract but expect he will sign someplace else where he can compete for a starting job.

"We still think Kelly has ability," general manager Frank Wren told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "and I would not be surprised at all, if he went somewhere and had a chance to play regularly, if he bounced back to be the player we all envisioned."

Lyon likely to begin Astros career as setup man: The Astros officially introduced Brandon Lyon this weekend at Minute Maid Park. Lyon, who agreed to a three-year deal, has been a closer with both the D-backs and Tigers but is projected as a setup man for Houston.

"I think in closing the pressure definitely is all on your shoulders," Lyon told MLB.com. "But I think in the seventh, eighth and ninth inning, you come into a close game and there's pressure in that, too. I haven't been able to decipher between [closer and setup], except for you get known more as a closer. Other than that, the pressure is still on and I'm ready to do any role."

Soriano takes over as closer for Rays: The Rays and Rafael Soriano have agreed to terms on a one-year deal following the reliever's acquisition from the Braves.

Soriano had a career-high 27 saves last season in 31 opportunities and had 102 strikeouts in 75 2/3 innings.

"It's a luxury that other teams can afford," Rays president Matt Silverman told the St. Petersburg Times. "And it's something, while we can't necessarily afford it at all times, we're going to enjoy having someone like him."

Navarro signs one-year contract with Rays: The Rays and Dioner Navarro have agreed to terms on a one-year contract. The Rays now have their catching set with Navarro and Kelly Shoppach, who was acquired from Cleveland this offseason.

"I feel like we're a better team with both than with one guy and another guy on the market," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman told the St. Petersburg Times.

Wang to look elsewhere: The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang, who won 19 games in both 2006 and 2007 before injuries sidetracked him the past two years.

"There's no doubt that we had to make a tough decision," Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told MLB.com. "We are still hopeful that our relationship can continue, but those decisions are yet to be made."

"It'd be a thrill to be a manager to make the changes and put together a lineup that you think is the best one to win that ballgame and that matches up the best. I think it involves some strategy and a lot of thought," he told MLB.com. "[Cubs manager] Lou [Piniella]'s done a great job in the years I've been here in putting out the best team to win the games. It's not easy. I think he does a really good job. Hopefully, I could do that one day."

Pudge making plans to play regularly: Ivan Rodriguez doesn't consider himself a backup catcher now that he's with the Nationals.

"Well, I'm ready to play every day," Rodriguez told the Washington Post. "We discussed that. I'm a player that can still play every day, and I will play every day and basically do my best for the club. I know it's hard for me to play 162 games; that's impossible for a catcher. But as long as I'm healthy, feeling great physically, I'll be in the field playing."